IT'S a simple philosophy, but a brilliant one: When local people do not have enough money to keep the wheels of the local economy turning, the smart thing to do is to target outsiders' hip pockets.
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And that's exactly the approach the Central West's three biggest councils have taken as local communities continue to battle the impacts of an ongoing drought.
That drought has not only dried up the incomes of the region's farmers but also the shops in town where they would normally spend their money, and also the shops where those shop owners would normally spend their money.
It's a vicious cycle that eventually impacts every business in town.
But if there is not enough money washing around within a town's economy, one solution is to bring in money from outside - and the Central West is better placed than most regions to do just that.
Across Dubbo, Bathurst and Orange, this region offers a wide range of experiences to appeal to any cashed-up Sydney, interstate or international visitor.
From the Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo to Orange's focus on food and wine and Bathurst's standing as the spiritual home of Australian motorsport, the three cities each boast attractions on which they can build a broader visitor economy.
But it's the myriad other events throughout the year that are the icing on top.
The NRL match in Bathurst this weekend is a perfect example.
Bathurst Regional Council's deal with the Penrith Panthers will see an NRL match played at Carrington Park every year until 2028 - at least. The match attracts up to 10,000 league fans, including many from out of town who might also stop for a feed, a drink and maybe even spend the night.
Orange is building a reputation as a regional centre for running, hosting thousands of athletes and their families for the annual Orange Running Festival and the Great Volcanic Mountain Challenge, while Dubbo Regional Council is ramping up its promotion of the city's cultural and heritage assets.
It's all about finding a niche event or attraction and then building from there. And it's working, with data showing tourists spent more than $750 million across the three cities in 2017 alone.
That's $750 million those cities would not have had otherwise and, as regional tourism continues to grow, there is plenty more where that came from.
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